What is SHiFT?

SHiFT is an open community of makers, connectors designers and creators. Come join the campfire conversations!

Connect

Each day, the events, workshops, and discussions will focus on an aspect of the design process. Topics like community, reflection, craft and grit are explored through community challenges.

Camp

Bring your tent or hammock and a sleeping bag. If you don’t have a tent or are flying to the event, we do have some tents available. Let us know ahead of time if you would like to reserve one.

Explore

With over 3000 acres to explore, you will be able to enjoy long walks and talks through the woods with all your new friends. And we’re sure your phone won’t be able to interrupt it right at the best part.

Experience

Daily workshops and discussions will focus on topics like community, reflection, craft, and grit.

Community Morning Exercise (optional)

Hot Buffet Breakfast

Morning Seminar 1

Morning Seminar 2

Lunch

Afternoon Team Event

Free time to explore

Dinner

Evening Program

Community Campfire

A week in the woods

Morning lectures and workshops will feature artists, designers, and industry leaders speaking to a variety of topics from design, community and passion.

Escape from the routine and break free from bad habits. Spend time with others exploring the natural world around you. With 3000+ acres of forests filled with creeks, caves and trails, there’s endless opportunities to spend time appreciating the world we too often overlook.

Cultures, backgrounds, and stories will merge to be shared in a way you’ve never experienced before. Learn from others, teach others, and create something together.

As a member of the SHiFT community you will be expected to take part in the events and workshops on hand. We want you to be able to explore the land and find time to rejuvenate your mind, but building relationships and being a part of your team is an important component to the SHiFT Experience.

Travel to Alabama

Alabama might not seem like a likely place for a design community to grow from, but reality is that the Heart of Dixie is alive with social innovation, amazing craftspeople and design education. We are proud to be the culmination of that passion and perseverance. Not to mention we are in a place that has lots of southern charm and natural beauty.

Located in northwest Alabama at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the Seven Springs Lodge offers guests a chance to just relax. Guests can take advantage of over 3,000 acres of picturesque natural woodland, with trails that cater to both the experienced and beginners alike. Explore native indian shelters and historical landmarks. Sit back and relax, grab your fishing pole or find a rocker on the porch of the lodge and enjoy natural beauty.

Seven Springs Lodge

1292 Mount Mills Road

Tuscumbia, AL 35616

Videos

SHiFT 2016 Alabama

We learned the importance of empathy in designing for ‘dis’abilities.

SHiFT 2015 Bays Mountain, Tennessee

SHiFT descended on Bays Mountain Park in Tennessee to give back to the community.

SHiFT 2015 Alabama

We made instruments with a legend, built a tent city, and gave back to nature.

Get lost and reflect

Escape from the routine and break free from bad habits. Spend time with others exploring the natural world around you.

Find your tribe

Cultures, backgrounds, and stories will merge to be shared in a way you’ve never experienced before. Learn from others, teach others, and create something together.

The great outdoors

With 3000+ acres of forests filled with creeks, caves and trails, there’s endless opportunities to spend time appreciating the world we too often overlook.

Making without instructions

Shift Design is an open community of makers, connectors, designers, and creators. Come join the campfire conversations!

SHiFT 2013

Our first event in 2013 gathered over 100 design students, educators and professionals from across the southeast and beyond.

Sign Up

Your adventure awaits!
December 16-21st 2016

About

The concept for this non-conference has been maturing for years. It started while the founders were attending Auburn University. They would bring students out to the woods for a short time in order to be rejuvenated and find inspiration for their design projects.

This foundation has been matured over many years and now SHiFT is a location inspired platform that uses the design process to connect students and professionals through workshops and community projects. Events for the college and professional are typically a week long and include deep conversations with thought leaders, physical activities that re-invigorate the soul, and challenges that expand the mind. The single and multi-day K-12 events are focused around team building and understanding the power of the design process.

SHiFT is ultimately about forging strong, long-lasting relationships through hands-on activities in an outdoor setting. By bringing students and professionals from around the world together for a unique experience, we aim to reignite the playful nature of the design process. SHiFT was created for the explorer, maker, and leader in all of us.

SHiFT wouldn’t be possible without the help of current and previous sponsors.